Sheriff concerned with public safety; State Police will aid

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 2:01 AMJan 18, 2013 at 10:58 AM

By Matt Thompson

mthompson@thedailyreporter.comAfter the Branch County Sheriff's Department was sliced deeply by budget cuts this year, there will only be two patrol cars out from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.The Branch County Commissioners had to reduce the funding to the department from $4.6 millionáin 2012 to $3.6 millionáthis year. Newly-elected Branch County Sheriff John Pollack is very concerned with the effect of these cutbacks. He is down to eight deputies, leaving four on the day shift, two on nights/mornings and leaving the afternoon shift on the Michigan State Police."We're going to start seeing a lot more drunk drivers once they see we're not out at minor in possession parties," Pollack said. "It's devastating."The county commissioners think with theáMSP and manpower Pollack still has there is no need to be alarmed."I hate when anyone uses the fear factor," County Commissioner Rod Olney said. "We're seeing them bring in the State Police, they know the situation. I don't think there should be fear and to think our public safety is gone. You might have to wait, but people will show up."Olney said after the county commissioners give the money out, the sheriff has control over when to have his men out.Lieutenant Post Commander James Coleman of the Michigan State Police said he will have at least five people working in the county for the afternoon shift."I think the only difference people will notice is a trooper will come instead of a deputy asábefore," Coleman said.Pollack said three of the four deputies out during the day are constantly doing things like transporting inmates to doctor appointments, courts and other prisons, providing paper service and delivering civil papers. The other deputy on duty is provided by a grant and he can only work traffic on secondary roads, meaning no coverage on I-69 or U.S. 12."State Police don't patrol the county at night," Pollack added. "They are beefing up the 3-11 p.m. shift. My biggest fear is not being able to respond to a situation. Staff is aware they are on call in and have cars at home like firefighters."Coleman said it is his goal to be out for all 24 hours. In March he is expecting at least eight new graduates that he said he has the luxury of placing anywhere."With the situation in Branch County I won't put all of the new graduates here, but I will work for my ultimate goal of 24 hour coverage," Coleman said.Recession-hit governmentThe county commissioners said they held up cutting from the sheriff's department for years now as the recession has hit."It takes a period of time before the government experiences the recession," County Administrator Bud Norman said. "A company won't lay someone off for around four months into a bad economy, then they have unemployment for up to a year before they stop paying their bills, and that's when the government absorbs the recession."Over the past three years the commissioners have dipped into the fund balance more and more to keep the sheriff's department cutless."The money truly isn't there," County Commissioner Don Vrablic said. "People think there is a rainy day fund somewhere; we don't have it. 2014 is not looking good either; this is not a short-term deal."The commissioners invited anyone with questions to come look at "the books" themselves. The Branch County Planning Commission already has no funds and there have been severe reductions at the Michigan State University Extension.Vrablic explained how there are so many state mandated programs and things that have to be paid foráŚ ifáthey areánot there could be lawsuits.Sheriff calls for millage againIn November a millage was voted against 2-1 that would have given the sheriff money to avoid these cuts.While some commissioners said they agreed with the millage, with the way it failed in the last election they aren't confident in spending $25,000-$30,000 to put it on the ballot again. It would be a special election,áwhich is why the cost would be so high."I'm trying to work with the County Commissioners to get some movement and get enough support for a millage to pass," Pollack said. "I need people to call the County Commissioners and help us get on the ballot. That'd be a big step."The five-year millage would cost $37 for a $100,000 property estimate homeáper year.Pollack said that would give them $975,000 and almost the $1 million that was cut and bring them back to full service."The rainy day fund has been used since 2008," Olney said. "It's almost tanked so we really have to pull in the belt."State Police will come to aidThe sheriff said he will do everything in his power to do his job and keep the people of Branch County safe, but he thinks he needs more resources and is concerned."Luckily the weather has been good," he said. "We're on the edge of disaster if there is a bad storm, because we don't have the people for all the accidents. I will be on call with the undersheriff."Coleman said if there was any major storm or situation in the county the sheriff could call him."We have 32 troopers at our Coldwater Post," he said. "That doesn't mean we can't have more too, but we are flexible and can come to aid. In the event (the sheriff's) people need help they can call us to assist. If he doesn't call us we can't do anything."